Nice people thread part 7 - a thread in its prime

chewmylegoff

Nikkster wrote: »

I'm afraid that unless the appeal was upheld, AND the individual absolved of wrong doing, I wouldn't use the reference. If it was enough to get a sacking through the system (as spirit said, not trivial), then it does suggest some fire behind the smoke. I would think it whatever it involves would involve breach of trust on some level.

As someone (missk?) mentioned, if your DS is applying for a job in a related field, chances are that they will have heard/ will find out by searching, and if not, I'm sure he can get an equally glowing reference from someone else? Was the work published anywhere? Was anyone else involved who could be contacted?

Perhaps the other point here is that references aren't really much use anyway. In my experience people only check references after they have already decided to offer you a job - I expect this is because no-one really writes proper references any more as a result of legal risk (except in certain circumstances where certain employers are legally obliged to write a proper, accurate reference e.g. social workers). Seeking references is usually done by HR rather than the people who actually make the employment decisions and I have certainly never been shown anyone's references despite recruiting a good number of people - HR just check them and tell me if they are satisfactory or not.

Therefore a glowing reference (especially a personal reference) isn't really going to give you a competitive advantage in terms of getting a job and a standard reference from the uni which just says "Silvercar Jr attended this university and received a degree in X" is, in reality, just as useful as a reference from a particular professor at that university saying "Silvercar Jr is ace".

lostinrates

Well, I wanted to wash my hair and stick some washing on as painfully short on normal clothes (have a village 'thing' tomorrow) but have been stuck on the ohone all evening because all the clients called to find out how old girl is. Now, dog dog and kiwi fruit are asleep on top of my legs and fast asleep.

zagubov

SingleSue wrote: »

Will catch up on the rest of the thread later but have some news

James now has 3 conditional offers!

I have one very chuffed 19 year old right now....and I am a very proud mum.

That's great news Sue- now he's got the fun (?) of deeciding which ones he likes best.:beer:

lostinrates

SingleSue wrote: »

Will catch up on the rest of the thread later but have some news

James now has 3 conditional offers!

I have one very chuffed 19 year old right now....and I am a very proud mum.

That's great!

Hope he feelsroud of himself and geared up to meet the requirments but not too stressed about it.

Goodness. While I'd live to be young like that I would'd like all that exam stress again! Loved assignments hated exams, prefered vivas to written exams.

Spirit_2

SingleSue wrote: »

I am a very proud mum.

Justifiably so:T:T:T

silvercar

Therefore a glowing reference (especially a personal reference) isn't really going to give you a competitive advantage in terms of getting a job and a standard reference from the uni which just says "Silvercar Jr attended this university and received a degree in X" is, in reality, just as useful as a reference from a particular professor at that university saying "Silvercar Jr is ace".

Problem is that DS hasn't got much work experience in real work. He is pretty peeved as he only did this for the "status" of a prof referee and reference. Totally unrelated to the area he wants to work in and nothign published. Also his first degree was from a department at the uni that has now been dissolved.

It is conduct or capability and very serious to warrant dismissal. Most likely conduct such as fraud, theft, drink/drugs, bullying, harassment, improper relationships.

Bare in mind we don't know the reason, but I read that list out to DS and he said most likely he had an affair with a student. Would that, given that the students must be over 18, enough to be gross misconduct?

Spirit_2

silvercar wrote: »

Problem is that DS hasn't got much work experience in real work. He is pretty peeved as he only did this for the "status" of a prof referee and reference. Totally unrelated to the area he wants to work in and nothign published. Also his first degree was from a department at the uni that has now been dissolved.



Bare in mind we don't know the reason, but I read that list out to DS and he said most likely he had an affair with a student. Would that, given that the students must be over 18, enough to be gross misconduct?[/QUOTE

I do not know the specifics however there is an ethical consideration. It is likely he hold the the balance of power in the relationship. Was it real meaningful consent, any coercion, any favouritism because of it?

Just to add for GradMgtTraining schemes and professional jobs we do follow up refs but if a character ref rather than a professional ref would not be so forensic. I would rather see a character ref from a scout leader who knew Silvercar Junior for seven years in emerging Adventure Scout Leadership role than a 3 week stint as intern to XXX

SingleSue

aliasojo wrote: »

I'll have to join the embassy in Scotland section.

I'm not Jewish (but I quite like Barbara Streisand ) nor is my OH (who doesn't much care for Barbara Streisand). :rotfl:

I'll read through the thread to try to get up to speed soon.

Welcome to the thread Aliasojo.

My quick bio - divorced, loves mushrooms, have Jewish ancestors, don't live in Herts but eldest son has been offered a uni place there (my only Herts association), 3 children, quite mad.

Think that just about covers me!:rotfl:

SingleSue

zagubov wrote: »

That's great news Sue- now he's got the fun (?) of deeciding which ones he likes best.:beer:

He's still waiting for a decision from one other uni and has an interview at yet another later this month (which just so happens to be his first choice uni)....so he could have even more fun!

SingleSue

Spirit wrote: »

Justifiably so:T:T:T

It is such a turn around, who would have thought the child who was labelled the slowest in the class (by his class teacher in year 5..and yes, I almost felt like giving him a punch on the nose - how dare he say that in front of a student) because of his dyslexia, would now have the option of at least 3 universities, all of which are very doable with their requirements.

James has worked incredibly hard to get where he is now, has overcome lots of personal battles with things, including having his parents divorce and finding out just before his GCSEs that he had a lifelong condition that would put him in a wheelchair before he was 25.

I am one very very proud parent.